The mental health conversation is louder than ever. Access resources to protect your wellbeing
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 23rd September 2022
Whether it is a friend or colleague who is experiencing difficulties, or you have had struggles of your own, it is likely that you will know the impact that poor mental health and emotional wellbeing has on dentists.
For some time now, high burnout rates have led to talented people choosing to take early retirement, or leave the industry. For early career dentists, the past two years have been particularly hard going, and a recent survey found that an overwhelming majority felt the impact that Covid and subsequent lockdowns has had on their dental training had been significant and negative.[i] Over a third also said that, as a result, they were now exploring opportunities outside the industry.
Even in ‘normal’ circumstances, new dentists often feel unprepared for how much they have yet to learn once they start working; largescale disruption thanks to Covid means many more will be starting clinical practise feeling low in confidence, and suffering from imposter syndrome. For anyone under this kind of stress, the likelihood of making a mistake increases.
Practices can expect to see more people complaining that they’ve had to wait too long for an appointment, or that they couldn’t get one with their preferred practitioner. One consequence of delays is that a patient now needs more invasive (and expensive, time-consuming) treatment because a problem has got worse. Fear of a complaint can be a source of considerable anxiety and stress, whether you have been practising for two years or 22. And if a patient feels they have grounds to make a claim against you, this can have a devastating impact on your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
A missed or delayed diagnosis, such as the failure of a dentist to diagnose dental disease, is a reason behind many dental claims, along with misdiagnosis, also if they believe care was inadequate, inappropriate or incorrect. A patient might decide they want to claim if they feel their treatment was poorly planned, or that they weren’t properly informed about the risks of going ahead (or not), and their role for keeping the result stable.
In a profession where compassion is crucial, you need the right support system behind you to help work with confidence, especially if you’re a new dentist whose early years have been a real baptism of fire. There will always be challenging days, but when you have access to resources and the right people on your side, you will know you are being looked after. In a scenario when a patient complains, this could be devastating not just to you, but also to your family and friends who might feel any help they can offer is inadequate. If a complaint does result in the claims’ process being initiated, the amount of time it tends to take for these matters to conclude will only make the stress more intense, and you may have to take time off if you feel it has stopped you from ‘showing up’ – mentally, not just physically – for your patients. If you are taking a leave of absence, as well as the isolation and increased anxiety, this is often a reason why people decide to leave the profession for good.
However long you have been practising, indemnity insurance is key example of a resource that can help to protect you, your wellbeing and your career at a time when it matters most. Howden is a leading specialist insurance and indemnity provider and, as well as creating high-quality tailored policies for practices and professionals at all stages of their careers, their expert team understand that mental health must be protected too. Howden’s new dental indemnity policy offers strong, contractual cover in a wide number of scenarios, so you can feel prepared and reassured, with peace of mind you’ll be supported in the most stressful of circumstances. For added value, with a Howden policy you will also receive access to a mental wellbeing helpline, as well as a medical-legal helpline.
In a stressful industry, the conversation about mental health and wellbeing is now louder than ever. Source and access the right resources for you, to protect yourself, as well as your income and your career. Finding ways to minimise stress, and to boost your resilience will help you be ready for anything, and to practise with confidence. With this safety net in place, you can focus on honing the skills you need to be an exceptional practitioner, with a bright future.
For more information or to contact team, please visit www.howdengroup.co.uk or call 020 3918 9127
Howden Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of general insurance business. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 725875. Registered Office: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF
[i] Dental Protection Survey: Covid Impact. Dental Review, 4 May 2022. Link: https://www.dentalreview.news/practice-management/56-dental-recruitment-and-hr/8542-dental-protection-survey-covid-impact?fbclid=IwAR1XN7M_dc33MISvhLKh0c8eOAaFCUQ_obYeYMhbDYMH2MwWZurCJyhCxGI (accessed June 2022).
